GHG Accounting for Carbon Dioxide Capture and Utilisation Technologies

There has been growing interest over recent years regarding the role of carbon dioxide capture and utilisation (CCU) in mitigating greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. As well as climate mitigation, the technology offers other potential benefits - such as resource use and waste conversion, encapsulated in the ‘circular economy’ concept. Despite its potential, there major uncertainties persist with regards to CCU’s ability to achieve real and measurable emissions reductions within carbon reduction support schemes. At a time when policy-makers are looking at how the technology can best be supported, there is an real need to improve clarity regarding its potential to deliver emissions reductions, and how such benefits can best be accounted for.

Carbon Counts has been commissioned by the IEA Greenhouse Gas R&D Programme (IEAGHG) to undertake a study aimed at gaining a better understanding of the potential of CCU to contribute towards climate change mitigation objectives. Using a combination of real facility-level case study data and non-facility level emissions effects, the study will develop life-cycle GHG emissions profiles for a range of CCU activities e.g. CO2 to mineralisation, CO2 to fuels; CO2 to chemicals; CO2-EOR. The options for effective GHG accounting options will then be assessed, considering the types of opportunities and challenges involved.

The results of the study will be published towards the end of 2017.